cambridge glasshousecompany history timeline
Cambridge Glasshouse has been supplying the highest quality glasshouses for over 55 years. Below is a short summary of our history.
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in the year 1955 Cambridge Glasshouse was born
Basil Thomas, a commercial tomato grower needed to upgrade his current glasshouse to allow for better yield from his plants, finding a lack of suitable products on the market prompted him to design and manufacture his own glasshouse using aluminium extrusions. It was because of this that Cambridge Glasshouse Company Ltd was formed.
in the 1960’sFrom strength to strength
The commercial glasshouse industry was in full swing and Norman Furgeson, a director of Cambridge Glasshouse Company Ltd moved to Bognor Regis and founded Frampton Furgeson Ltd with Francis Furgeson, another commercial grower. Both companies enjoyed growth and in the late 1960’s, were taken over by British Aluminium.
in the year 1978CGH Introduce the Varsity
Revelling in the success of their commercial glasshouses, Cambridge Glasshouse Company Ltd tried their hand at garden glasshouses. In March 1978 the first Varsity was invented using plain alloy aluminium with a single sliding door and a clip glazing system. The Varsity was design to commercial standards, so became the strongest and sturdiest garden greenhouse on the market.
in the 1980’sCGH branches out
After the initial success of the commercial glasshouse, the grower industry as a whole experienced a lull in the 1980’s. It was during this time that the ownership of Cambridge Glasshouse Company transferred to British Alcan and the company began to include garden centre buildings and even road furniture such as crash barriers on their product listing.
in the 1990’sOwnership transferred to Lorne Williamson
The company continued to enjoy success in every field of the industry, and private ownership was transferred to Lorne Williamson.
in the year 1991The Varsity redesign
The original Varsity glasshouse had a make-over, to develop it into what it is today. To avoid the use of glazing clips, and make the product as a whole stronger, the glazing system was redesigned. From now on, the glass would be clamped between a glazing bar and a bar cap, cushioned on a rubber strip against the glazing bar to improve water tightness and avoid any glass movement. The redesign also included replacing the single sliding door with a double sliding door.
in the year 1996More Varsity Improvements
The standard Varsity design was adapted to sit on a small dwarf wall, giving the glasshouse a more traditional look while still maintaining its strength. Also in this year, Cambridge Glasshouse Company was sold to Mike Kendall.
in the year 1997The Victorian hits the market
Under the ownership of Mike Kendall, the company relocated to a purpose built factory and office complex in the East Riding of Yorkshire, where it still resides today. The garden glasshouses radically changed in this year, with the first Varsity lean-to being manufactured and an entirely new product officially launched at the 1997 Chelsea Flower Show – The Cambridge Victorian glasshouse. This Victorian was based on the Varsity, with 45 degree roof pitch and slimmer glazing system to celebrate the traditional structures constructed during the Victorian era. The first large Victorian with cold frames was built in March 1997
in the year 2001The Varsity Lean-to is launched
The first ¾ Varsity lean-to was designed and built in December 2001
in the year 2002The Varsity Summerhouse
The versatile Varsity extended its repertoire to include the Varsity Summerhouse, a standard Varsity with an extended porch.
in the year 2004Long-lasting stewardships
With the business continuing to grow, Cambridge Glasshouse Company came under the stewardship of John Holland, Steve Hinch and Ross Hibbs, who are all still with the company today.
in the year 2005The Victorian makeover
In 2005 it was the Victorian’s turn for a radical make-over. Up until this time, all Victorian glasshouses used the same bar cap glazing system as the Varsity, using 3mm lapped glass. Now, the Victorian had its very own bar cap that is slimmer and more in keeping with the Victorian ideal. The capped also improves weather tightness as the glass is cushioned on both sides instead of just one. The new capping also meant that all Victorian glasshouses could be fitted with single pane 4mm toughened glass. This improved the internal and external aesthetics, removing the need for lapped glass, improving light penetration and ensuring a cleaner, more maintenance free structure.
in the year 2007CGH merges with HOK
Cambridge Glasshouse Company Ltd merged with their largest UK competitor, HOK Engineering.